The haven was honoured with a Category Two Award in recognition of their human development efforts within their community.
Kajol Menon, the International Prize Committee evaluator, praised the outstanding work done by the home in dealing with destitute children.
“In over two decades of work, Kids Haven has built a strong reputation in the child’s rights sector for effective intervention,” she said.
Susan Daly, fundraising co-ordinator at Kids Haven, explained how winning the award would assist the haven in some of the work they do.
“Winning the Agfund International Prize will enable us to enhance our own systematic collection of data on street children and include other shelters that can make use of these systems too,” she said.
Daly added that, following the honour, the haven would strive to continue with the improvement of the lives of children by providing them with a safe place to play, grow and develop.
“We want happy, school-going ordinary children and our aim is to integrate the children, get them off the streets and back into society,” she said.
A total of 67 applicants were received for category two but in the end, Kids Haven was selected for their comprehensive approach in addressing the needs of children requiring special protection.
The home, based in Benoni and with a donation point in Bryanston, provides for destitute children through various outreach programmes including prevention, early intervention and residential care focusing on stabilisation and rehabilitation.
The Gulf Programme was established in 1999 and is a non-profit development organisation based in Saudi Arabia which aims to honour human development efforts in developing countries.
The programme recognises positive strides made in combating poverty and the advancement of education and improvement of health standards in support of sustainable human development among destitute groups.
The awards ceremony took place in Rabat, Morocco, on 14 January.
Details: www.kidshaven.org.za
